The Wolverine

October 2019

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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OCTOBER 2019 THE WOLVERINE 43   PREP PROFILES Michigan holds 23 commitments in its nationally ranked 2020 recruiting class, but there is still room for a few more talented additions. Owasso (Okla.) High running back Isaiah Jacobs is close to the top of the board and the Wolverines are still in the market for another ball carrier. The three-star prospect received an official offer from U-M last month and has been in consistent contact with running backs coach Jay Harbaugh. "Coach Harbaugh has been in my area," Jacobs said. "We've been talk- ing, and he just tells me that he likes my film and things like that. He'll show me plays and how they read blocks. He's a good dude. He sends me scriptures, so it's not always about football." While Michigan holds a commit- ment from four-star running back Blake Corum and versatile prospects like AJ Henning and Eamonn Den- nis, Jacobs is an every-down power back that would bring a different ele- ment to the group. As a junior, Jacobs rushed for 1,024 yards and nine touchdowns and helped lead Owasso to the Oklahoma Class 6A-II state semifinals. One of the more underrated run- ning backs in the county, Jacobs made it clear that U-M is a strong contender for his services. "Michigan is up there for sure," he said. "You can just see the atmo- sphere. Michigan is definitely one of the schools that will get an official." Michigan has had success in the Tulsa area in the past, reeling in five- star defensive back Daxton Hill last cycle. That's something that has cer- tainly caught Jacobs' attention. "That just makes it better," Jacobs said. "Seeing someone that I know there makes me more comfortable. Dax is from Tulsa, too, and I know he's going to excel there." Jacobs, the younger brother of for- mer Alabama and current Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, is still mapping out his official visits and doesn't plan on making a deci- sion until closer to the late signing period in February. "Right now, I'm trying to focus on my season," Jacobs said. "I'm try- ing to take my officials after the sea- son, but I do have a top five or seven schools that have been really consis- tent with me. Michigan has been on me hard and so has Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Nebraska and Ole Miss." At 5-10, 200 pounds, Jacobs is ranked as the No. 12 prospect in Oklahoma by Rivals. — EJ Holland Michigan always wants to keep the top instate talent at home, and in the 2021 class that starts with some key recruits in Detroit. The Wolverines have offered sev- eral of the best prospects in the area, including Cass Tech linebacker Kobe King, who made it clear U-M is a ma- jor factor in his recruitment early on. "Michigan feels like home," King said. "We've had multiple guys go there. I just love the home feeling. They are at the top of my list right now. I really like the coaching staff and the family bond." Michigan has had a ton of suc- c e s s re c r u i t i n g out of Cass Tech in the past, and there are currently three alums on the Wolverines roster, including All-Big Ten wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones. Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown has been hard at work on King. "I talk to Coach Brown a lot," King said. "I have a really good relation- ship with him. He's actually been re- cruiting me as an outside linebacker. I can play all the spots, but he sees me as more of an outside guy." At 6-1, 230 pounds, King plays inside linebacker at the high school level. His versatility makes the three- star prospect an even more intrigu- ing option at a premium position. Michigan will host King for a visit at some point this fall, and he has high expectations for the team. "I think it's the year they win the Big Ten," King said. "I re- ally do. They are returning a lot of good players, including their wide receivers. "I expect the defense to fly around. Don Brown knows what he's doing. They'll be dominant." King isn't the only member in his family with a Michigan offer. His brother, Kalen, is a three-star cor- nerback in the 2021 class, and the two are looking to play together in college. "It's really fun playing with him," King said. "The plan is to play with him at the next level for sure. We're going to start planning some visits together. But it would be really good." Along with Michigan, King has of- fers in hand from Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Penn State, Pur- due, West Virginia and a handful of other major programs. King is ranked as the No. 15 recruit in Michigan and the No. 14 inside linebacker in the country by Rivals. — EJ Holland Oklahoma Running Back Remains One Of U-M's Top Remaining Targets Michigan Is Working To Keep Another Cass Tech Star Home ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Owasso H.S. Owasso, Okla. Class: 2020 Position: Running Back Ht.: 5-10 • Wt.: 200 Rivals Rankings: No. 12 prospect in Oklahoma Isaiah Jacobs ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Cass Tech H.S. Detroit Class: 2021 Position: Linebacker Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 230 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 15 prospect in Michigan and No. 14 inside line- backer nationally Kobe King Jacobs "Michigan is up there for sure. You can just see the at- mosphere. Michigan is defi- nitely one of the schools that will get an official." King "Michigan feels like home. We've had multiple guys go there. … They are at the top of my list right now. I really like the coaching staff and the family bond."

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